New Port Richey, FL

New Port Richey and neighboring Port Richey were named for Capt. Aaron Richey, who came from Missouri and established Port Richey in the 1880s. New Port Richey was founded in 1915 and incorporated on Oct. 27, 1924. Formerly, the area was known as Hickory Hammock. Publisher and former Ohio State Sen. Dr. Elroy M. Avery was named New Port Richey's first mayor. At one time the city was home to a number of prominent silent film stars.

NEIGHBORHOODS AND DISTRICTS

Downtown New Port Rickey is a quaint and charming area, featuring a variety of restaurants, retail shops, and other businesses. Richey Suncoast Theatre performers stage productions in the historic Meighan Theatre, built in 1925.

New Port Richey is divided into several distinct neighborhoods, including:

• Gulf Harbors is a deed-restricted, single-family housing community. In addition to offering quiet waterfront property, this neighborhood provides residents with a number of services and amenities. Gulf Harbors is a popular haven complete with private beaches, a golf course, a yacht club, a clubhouse and a pool, as well as tennis courts and boat ramps.
• The Reserve at Sea Forest, the sister property of Gulf Harbors, offers residents all of the same amenities available at Gulf Harbors, but in a condominium setting.
• River Ridge is designed to provide affordable housing to new families and retirees and offers its residents a clubhouse, a golf course and a pool.
• Timber Greens is an upscale neighborhood that offers its residents all the top amenities, such as 24-hour professional security, a pool, a clubhouse and a yacht club.
• Longleaf, designed as an old Floridian neighborhood, Longleaf hosts a range of neighborhood activities to encourage a sense of community and civic responsibility.
• Seven Springs Golf and Country Club, another upscale community that offers residents year-round activities and events along with professional golf and tennis facilities.
• Hidden Lakes Estates is a gated luxury community that features a private airstrip.

ECONOMY AND INDUSTRIES

Educational services and health care are major industries in New Port Richey. Other prominent industries in the city are retail trade, arts, entertainment, recreation, accommodation and food services. Major employers in New Port Richey include the Community Hospital, Harbor Behavioral Health Care, Pall Aeropower Corp., Wal-Mart Supercenter and Mitchell Rehabilitation.

SHOPPING

• Mitchell Ranch Plaza houses a variety of retailers and restaurants. Shoppers will also find a beauty salon, a bank, and a movie theater within the plaza.
• Downtown New Port Richey offers residents and visitors a mix of local boutiques and family-owned restaurants.

FAMILY FUN

New Port Richey is dedicated to providing its residents with safe, fun areas to enjoy the outdoors. Within the city limits, residents and visitors will find a number of parks and recreation areas. Additionally, the recent renovation of the city's community pool has given way to a deluxe recreation complex and aquatic center that features two gymnasiums, a fitness center, a children's pool, a lap pool, a diving pool with a water slide, and a plunge pool, all specifically designed for local teenagers. The facility also offers lifeguard training.

Additional parks in New Port Richey include:

• Recreation Center and Skate Park
• Sims Park
• Orange Lake
• River Park
• Frances Avenue
• Meadows Park
• Grand Boulevard Park
• James E. Grey Preserve
• Russ Park
• Jasmine Park

EVENTS

• Seafood Festival offers the best in local seafood. Attendees listen to music, take in the local nautical culture, enjoy arts and crafts, and participate in family activities. The festival is free, but donations are encouraged, with proceeds used to fund future family fun festivals held throughout the city.
• KIA Fest is held in Historic Downtown during Independence Day weekend. This celebration includes music, dancing, food, and family-oriented activities. The highlight of this festival is the Fourth of July fireworks display. Approximately 25,000 people turn out for this event each year.
• A Night in the Tropics has residents partying Key West-style in Downtown New Port Richey. Residents and visitors alike enjoy the live music, dancing, food, and fun.

FOR VISITORS

• West Pasco Historical Society Inc., located in the old Seven Springs Schoolhouse, preserves the local history with a museum, a library, and a gift shop.
• Richey Suncoast Theater is a local community theater offering performances year-round. Auditions are open to all interested community members.

EDUCATION

• Pasco-Hernando Community College offers degrees in the liberal arts and sciences as well as specialty health degrees. The college has also partnered with four of the local four-year institutions, making it easier for students to continue their educations. Pasco-Hernando students feed into Barry University, Hodges University, Saint Leo University, and University of South Florida St. Petersburg.
• Benes International School of Beauty provides courses in beauty, barber, and massage skills. Completing the necessary coursework to qualify for a license typically takes less than two years of study.

HOSPITALS AND HEALTH CARE

• Community Hospital is a leading acute care center.
• Morton Plant Mease North Bay Hospital includes private patient rooms and state of the art medical technology.

LOCAL MEDIA

• WFLA 970 AMNews/Talk Radio
• WTMP 1150 AMUrban Contemporary
• WGUL 860 AMNostalgia
• WLVU 1470 AMSports
• WLCC 760 AMSpanish

• WYFE 88.9 FMReligious
• WDUV 105.5 FM Adult Contemporary
• WXTB 97.9 FMRock
• WSUN 97.1 FMAlternative
• WRBQ104.7 FMOldies
• WFLZ-FM 93.3 FM Top-40
• WGUL-FM 106.3Country